Electric phonograph pick up



Feb. 23, 1932. w H. HUTTER 1,846,871 l ELECTRIC PHONOGRAPH PICK-UP Filed Sept. 4. 1930 v@Zas Patented Feb. 23, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM H. BUTTER, F RACINE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR T0 WEBSTER ELECTRIC COM- PANY, 0F RACINE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN ELECTRIC IHONOGRAPE PICK UP My invention relates to a translating device, and more particularly to a device for translating mechanical movements into electrical impulses such as'used in electrlcal phonographs and more commonly called a pickup.

An objectv of this invention is to provide a translating device having improved mounting means operating to permit the needle to transmit very low frequency notes without chattering or jumping; out of the groove of the phonograph record.

Another object is to provide such a mounting having provision for the rotation ot the head supporting armor tone arm to faclhtate the insertion and removal of needles.V

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a translating device in which my invention is incorporated;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical cross section taken on substantially the line 2-2 of Fig. 4;

Fig the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken' on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Devices of this nature are adapted to receive vibrations by means of a needle 5 from grooves in a phonograph record 6 rotatable on a 'table 7. Suitable translating means are located in the head 8 which is secured on the outer end of an arm 9 extending through an opening 11 in one side of Casin g 12 where the inner end of the tone arm is mounted. l As illustrated in Fig. 2, a suitable rheostat 13 may be mounted'in the housing 12 and have a control knob 14 extending through the rear side thereof. `The casing 12 is suitably secured to a base plate 14 by means of screws 15 as illustrated.

The rear end of the arm 9 is provided with an inivardly depressed portion 17 forming a groove 18 around the same adjacent the end. A sleeve 19 is snugly fitted over the end portion, including the groove 18 for supporting the arm. On the lower side of the arm 9 in operative position is a longitudinal groove 21 extending the length oi sleeve 19 and into which is adapted to engage a ridge 22 on the inner lower side of sleeve 19 for normally re- 3 is a vertical cross section takenon straining rotary movement of the arm. When an abnormal rotary force is exerted on the arm such as that applied by the hand for the .pivot for the 'ar'm and prevent rectilinear motion of the arm relative to the yoke 27. Pintles 26, being snugly fitted in openings 25 .in the sleeve 19, support the sleeve vertically and permit it to pivot with the arm 9. The

-sleeve 19 being thus supported provides' the sole vertical support for arm 9.

The yoke 27 has a horizontally disposed bottom portion 31 which is seated on a slightly resilient plate 32 preferably composed of fiber or the like, which plate in turn is seated on a base member 33 of angle cross section which is secured to one side of the casing 12 by means of a rivet 34 to form a shelf like support. v

For permitting limited vertical movement of the yoke 27 and thesleeve 19 with arm 9, I have provided a vertically yieldable pivot 36 consisting of a threaded bolt having engagement in a threaded opening 37 in the bottom portion 31 of yoke 27 A tubular .member 38 is fitted on the bolt 36 and has contact With a Washer 39 on the bolt and with the portion 31 of the yoke. When the bolt is secured into theI opening 37 with the sleeve 38 in position, a rigid connection is secured. Around the bolt 3 6 and sleeve 38 is placed a coil spring 41 which is partially compressed between the base 33 and the Washer 39 for yieldingly restraining upward vertical movement of the arm 9 together with its support.

From the foregoing description it will be apparentthat when it is .desired to renew the needle 5 in the head 8, the head `may be lifted together with the outer end of arm 9 and the same may be rotated so as to place the needle socket in an inverted position where it will be readily accessible.. The resilient plate 32 absorbs vibrations and increases the range of low notes which may be played by the instrument without danger of the needle jumping from the groove in the record and without perceptible vibration. This arrangementJ also provides\ for avoiding damage to the arm 9 in case it is removed from above the record and dropped, for the reason that when the arm contacts the lower edge of opening 11 with considerable force, the spring 41 will yield, permitting the rear end of arm 9 to move upwardly and then be yieldingly replaced by the spring,

I claim as my invention:

1. In a translating device of the class described', an arm for a phonograph pickup, su porting means for the inner end o sai arm comprising a casing, a horizontal base fixed to said casing, a resilient plate on said base, a yoke seated on said plate, Ja pivot fixed to said yoke and extending downwardly through said base for securing said yoke for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane about said pivot as an axis, spring means yieldingly holding said yoke on said plate, a sleeve on said arm, said sleeve being mounted in said yoke for pivotal movement in a vertical plane, cooperating portions on said arm and said sleeve securing said sleeve from movement along the longitudinal axis of the arm, while permitting oscillatory movement about its longitudinal axis for facilitating the insertion and removal of needles in said head.

2.' In a translating device of the class described, an arm for a phonograph pickup, mounting means for said arm including a support, said support comprising pivotal means securing said arm for oscillation in a vertical plane and in a horizontal plane, means yieldingly restraining the vertical movement of said pivotal means and means for securing said arm from longitudinal rectilinear movement while permitting rotary movement about its longitudinal axis.

3. In a translating device of the class described, an arm for a phonograph pickup,

Vmounting means for said arm including a support, said support comprising pivotal means securing said arm for oscillationin a vertical. plane and in a horizontal plane, means yieldingly restraining the vertical movement of said pivotal means, means for securing said arm from longitudinal recti- 'linear movement while permitting rotary movement about its longitudinal axis, and' cushioning means for said support.

4. In a translating device ofthe class described, an arm for a phonograph pickup, mounting means fonsaid` arm including a support, said support comprising pivotal means securing said arm for oscillation in a vertical plane and in a hrizontalcplane, means yieldingly restraining the vertical movement of said pivotal means, meansl for securing said arm from longitudinal rectilinear movement while permitting rotary movement about its longitudinal axis, a base for said support and cushionin means interposed between said base and sai support.

5. In atranslating device of the class described, an arm for a phonograph pickup, mounting means for said arm including a support, said support comprising a yoke embracing said arm, pintles on said yoke engaging within a grove in said arm for preventing longitudinal rectilinear movement of said arm While permitting rotary movement thereof, and means for yieldingly restrainingrotary movement of said arm when in 'a predetermined position.

6. Ina translating device of the class described, an arm for a phonograph pickup,

mounting means for said arm including a support, said support comprising a yoke embracing said arm, pintles on said oke engaging within a groove in said arm fbr prevent? longitudinal rectilinear movement of said arm while permitting rotary movement thereof, means for yieldingly restraining rotary movement of said arm when in a predetermined position, a base for said support, and cushioning means interposed between said base and said support.

7. In a translating device of the class described, an arm for a phonograph pickup,

mounting means for said arm including 'a support, said support comprising a yoke embracing said arm, a sleeve on said arm, pintles on said yoke extendingthrough openings in said sleeve and engaging within a circumferential groove in said arm to prevent longitudinal movement of said arm while permitting rotary movement thereof about its longitudinal axis.

8. In a translating device of the class described, an arm for a phonograph pickup, mounting means for said arm including a support, said support comprising a yoke embracing said arm, a sleeve on said arm, pintles on said yoke extending through openings in said sleeve and engaging within a circumferential groove in said arm to prevent longitudinal movement of said arm while perimtting rotary movement thereof about its longitudinal axis, said arm having a longitudinal groove, a ridge on the inner side of said sleeve engageable wit-hin said longitudinal groove for yieldingly restraining rotary movement of said arm.

9. In a translating device of the class described, an arm for a phonograph pickup,

mounting means for said arm including a support, said support comprising a yoke embracing said arm, a sleeve on said arm, pintles ential groove in said arm to prevent longitudinal movement of said arm while permitting rotary movement thereof about its longitudinal axis, said arm having a longitudinal groove, a ridge on the inner side of saidsleeve engageable Within said longitudinal groove for yieldingly restraining rotary movement of said arm, a base for said support and cushioning means interposed between .said base and said support.

-10. In a translating device of the class described, an arm for a phonograph pickup, mounting means for said arm including a support, said support comprising a yoke embracing said arm, pintles on said yoke engaging within a groove in said arm for preventing longitudinal rectilinear movement of said arm while permitting rotary movement thereof, means for yieldingly restraining rotary movement-of said arm when in a predetermined position, said arm being adapted to oscillate in a vertical plane about said pintles as an axis, and means securing said yoke for oscillation about a vertical axis.

11. In a translating device of the class described, an larm for a phonograph pickup,

mounting meansA for said arm including a support, said support comprising a yoke embracing said arm, pintles on said yoke engaging within a groove in said arm for preventing longitudinal rectilinear movement of said arm whilepermitting rotary movement thereof, means for yieldingly restraining rotarymoveme'nt of said arm when in a predetermined position, said arm being adapted to oscillate in a vertical plane about said pintles as an axis, means securing said yoke for oscillation about a vertical axis, a base for said support and cushioning means interposed between said base and said support.

12. In a translating device of the class described, an arm for a phonograph pickup, mounting means for said arm including a support, said support comprising a yoke embracing saidarm, a sleeve on said arm, pintles on said yoke extending through openings in said sleeve and engaging within a circumferential groove in said arm to pre= vent longitudinal movement of said arm while permitting rotary movement thereof about its longitudinal axis, a ridge on the inner side of said sleeve engageable within said longitudinal groove for yieldingly restraining rotary movement of said arm, said arm being adapted to oscillate in a vertical plane about said pintles as an axis, means securing -said yoke for oscillation about a vertical axis,

a base for said support, and cushioning means interposed between said base and said support.

13. In a translating device of the class described, an arm for a phonograph pickup, mounting means for said arm including a support, said support comprising a yoke embracing said arm, a sleeve on said arm, pintles on said yoke extending through open ings in said sleeve and engaging within a circumferential groove in said arm to prevent longitudinal movement of said arm while permitting rotary movement thereof about its longitudinal axis, a ridge on the inner side of said sleeve engageable within said longitudinalgrooves for yieldingly restraining rotary movement of said arm, said arm being adapted to oscillate in a vertical plane about said intles as an axis, means securing said yoke or oscillation about a vertical ax1s, a base for said support, cushioning means interposed between said base and said support, and means yieldingly restraining vertical movement of said yoke. A

14:. In a translating device of the class described, an arm for a phonograph pickup, mounting means for sald arm including a casing, a resilient support within said casing, a base-for said support fixed to said casing, cushioning means interposed between said support and said base, a vertical pivot fixed to said support and extending through said base, a coil spring surrounding said pivot for restraining vertical movement thereof, said support comprisin a yoke embracing said arm, a sleeve on sai arm, pintles on said yoke extending through openings in said sleeve and engaging within a circumferential groove in said arm to prevent longitudinal movement of said arm and permitting rotary movement thereof about its longitudinal axis, said arm having a. longitudinal groove and a ridge on the inner side of said sleeve engageable within said groove for yieldingly restraining rotary movement of said arm.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 14th da of August, 1930.`

WILL AM H. HUTTER. 

